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South of Scotland Thistle Awards 2023

5 Oct 23
by Nathon Jones
TradFestival 2022

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival heads to the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries this evening for this year's South of Scotland Thistle Awards. The festival is a finalist in the 'Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival' category; another fantastic achievement for the event.

For almost 30 years, The Scottish Thistle Awards have been recognising and championing the very best of the Scottish tourism, hospitality and events industry. The Awards honour the very best individuals, businesses and partnerships for their innovation, excellence and success.  

The Scottish Thistle Awards are delivered by VisitScotland in partnership with regional awards programmes. They combine five regional awards, with a national final.

This year sees the introduction of a dedicated South of Scotland Thistle Awards, delivered in partnership with the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and South of Scotland Enterprise, which invite nominations and entries from the tourism and events industry in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.   

VisitScotland will continue to deliver two regional finals for Central & East and West, whilst the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) and the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards (ACSTA) will deliver their regional awards programme. Winners from all five regions progress to the National Final.

Wishing everyone who has made the finals the very best of success tonight and fingers crossed that we can bring another award back to Newton Stewart.

In Other News

Outstanding sponsorship support from Five Kingdoms Brewery

Serving local produce ensures that the project supports local businesses and the local community. A huge favourite are the beers from Five Kingdoms Brewery which are brewed in Isle of Whithorn. We are hugely grateful to Alastair and his team for their very generous support for this year's festival.  

12 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Workshops at this year's festival

With so many outstanding musicians in Newton Stewart this weekend it would be foolish not to take full advantage, and we've done just that with a superb programme of traditional music workshops which are included as part of the Weekend Pass ticket, £10 per adult or £Free for under 25s.  

11 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Highland dancing competition unable to go ahead this year

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the postponement of this year's Highland dancing competition at Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Continued funding cuts have meant some very difficult decisions have had to be made, however we do hope to bring this back in 2025.  

26 Jun 24
Nathon Jones

More Trad News

Trad Music Trust

The 10th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival takes place over the 12th-14th July 2024. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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